The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-07-24
PRINCE FERDINAND.
Russia's Savage Frown VIII Cause Him to
Decline the Bulgarian Throne.

Russia's Savage Frown win Cause Him to
Decline the Bulgarian Throne.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal
LONDON, July 23.-The election of Prince
Ferdinand by the Sobranje is now regarded in
diplomatic quarters as 'feeler" rather than a
fact The general feeling is that the election
will lead to some good result, and that it was
made in that expectation, rather than any par
ticular feeling of confidence that the choice of
the Sobran je would be confirmed by the powers.
Prince Ferdinands declaration that in govern
ing Bulgaria. Russia have the
foremost influence, does not salts
fly. for there a large number OF
very awkward facts which it would take a great
many declarations of this sort to put out OF
sight Prince Ferdinand Is. in the first place.
Catholic and, every one knows, to support
the Greek Church is the keystone of Russian
policy in eastern Europe. In the next place.
Prince Ferdinand has strong ties which bind
him to England-the very circumstance which
gave so much offense in the case of
Prince Alexander Moreover, he is
also ar officer in the Austrian army.
and to counteract Austrian influence is
yet another leading point in Russian policy. AS
sort of climax. Prince Ferdinand is, through
bis mother. the grandson of Louis PHILIPPE.
This fact alone is sufficient to put the influence
pf the French republic in the scale against him,
and prove the fact that Ferdinand so heavily
handicapped the Sobranje could have had no
Dther intention than to again bring Bulgarian
politics into prominence, with the hope OF OBJ
tanning early solu ton of their difficulties.
To do the Bulgarans justice, however. they do
not seemed disposed to yield to the repeated dis
arrangements they have received. They are
Still practically united nation, though the
rather stormy sitting OF the Sobranje and the
not too plant spirit of the majority omens of
q time when even the admirable morale of the
leading men of the country may give way under
the strain of the situation aussia is az old
hand at a waiting we'll forward game. and
the Cars advisers have pro badly calculated well
the effect of the practical isolation OF Bull
garia from her European svmpathizers
and the evil which state of things scarcely
removed from anarchy is bring about.
Bulgaria is to Russia very much what Egypt is
TO England. and from the irritation which the
Russian policy has caused to England. one may
fairly judge of the annoyance which the English
policy in Egypt has caused to Europe 1t is no
more possible for the Bulgarian Sobranie to
nominate a prince in opposition to Russia with
out serious risk Of war than it would be for the
Egyptians to nominate a Frenchman to the
khedivate OF Egypt Prince Ferdinand giving
due weight to this fact, has made up his mind to
decline the proffered distinction Russia or course,
desires to Bulgaria reduced practically to
the position of Russian dependency. and the
FASTEST method of assuring this would be to
place the throne puppet who however little
10 accord with national sentiment he might be,
you'd still be able to count upon the support of
he big battaliOns which the Gar is always able
put in motion. Mingrelian prince was pre-
Eisely the agent to comply in working out such
: plan, but the Bulgarians proving beyond
question that if they are be subjugated, it can
only be accomplished by force. Altogether, the
situation is one of grave danger, and the pro-
isional government is menaced by many perils.